WBEZ News

All across Chicago, teachers are trying to help students recover from the impacts of the pandemic. A recent class was brought to Morgan Park High School by the Special Olympics. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Springs are warming in Illinois, but plants are still in danger of the “spring freeze.” State Climatologist, Doctor Trent Ford, explains the changing patterns we’re seeing in Illinois. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Lauren Frost

Members of the General Assembly also said yes to a handful of anti-crime measures backed by Democrats, in an attempt to water down calls from Republicans saying they’re soft on crime. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

A wave of new City Council members campaigned against incumbents by citing their low attendance at meetings. Now, the freshmen are outperforming the veterans. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Claudia Morell

The Chinese American Service League has launched and effort to collect disaggregated data, to better inform policymakers about the unmet needs of specific Asian American Pacific Islanders , or AAPI, populations. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang; Producer: Lauren Frost

A Chicagoan who emigrated from Mexico is organizing a humanitarian mission to Ukraine, to help feed refugees fleeing the war. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Horacio Mendez, president and chief executive officer of the Woodstock Institute, discusses fair lending, wealth creation and financial reform. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Jennifer Garross, a social worker responding to 911 calls, says she hasn’t yet needed a cop’s presence but she can imagine situations in which she would. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The allegations in a newly unsealed whistleblower lawsuit target Brian Hynes, a lawyer with close ties to disgraced ex-Ald. Danny Solis. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos, Dave McKinney

WBEZ contributor Shermann "Dilla" Thomas and Lisa Labuz discuss the legacy of Chicago's longest-serving First Lady, Maggie Daley. Producer: Cianna Greaves

Shannon Heffernan details reporting around two mental health workers, who say they observed troubling behavior from other staff. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Water from the Great Lakes could soon become a hot commodity. Dave Dempsey, author of "Great Lakes for Sale," talks about water commercialization in our weekly climate conversation. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Each year, Trans Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate transgender and non-binary people. But this year’s celebration in Chicago turned somber as participants mourned the recent deaths of two Black trans women. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

In the Beverly neighborhood, an unlikely duo of nuns attend a weekly class that's like a cross between dance aerobics and strolling. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

More than 300 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers say Chicago police officers should not respond to mental health emergencies. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Evanston made national headlines when it passed reparations, but the program's limited scope still causes pain for former residents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Araceli Gómez-Aldana

Some Chicagoans are finding a sense of belonging at a small gift shop in Ukrainian Village as the war carries on abroad. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

In our weekly climate conversation, we hear from a listener who’s grappling with whether to have kids in the face of climate change. Meghan Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, the co-founders of Conceivable Future, collect testimonials from people across America struggling with the same questions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

It’s Chicago restaurant week. And for some restaurants, it’s an opportunity to recover from the debilitating economic effects of the pandemic. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Cianna Greaves

WBEZ investigated claims that guards at an Illinois prison beat people in a place with no cameras. It’s part of the new season of the podcast Motive. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Since 2008, the city has seen trends that may be connected to a warming planet, like extreme heat waves and rainstorms. Climate advisor to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Kyra Woods says it's time for a new perspective on climate change in Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Indi Khera

Risking fines from the Federal Communications Commission, this radio pirate has kept his “audio noir” on air 24/7 for 15 years. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

As the war in her home country continues, WBEZ reporter Anna Savchenko shares how fear has shaped the lives of her Ukrainian family over generations. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Ariel Van Cleave

Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and legislative Democratic leadership say progress has already been made. But some reform groups and GOP members say it’s not enough. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Doctor Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, explains why there are so many different projections on the effects of climate change. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost